Had a question for you guys. I'm in the process of getting a fx4 31 spline 8.8 to swap in to my 1999 ford ranger 4x4 with a 7.5. The problem is the fx4 axle doesnt come with drums or any brake assembly. Can I swap in my current brakes assemblies? Or do I need to get assembly? If anyone knows were I can get a complete assembly without having to part it together that would be awesome too. Theres no junkyards with rangers nearby so I useally have to order stuff.

 

I could be wrong, but I'm almost certain the 7.5s all came with the smaller brakes (9"IIRC) where the LII will have the bigger (10" IIRC).

If you are sourcing new parts, you may want to just look into a disc brake conversion for it rather than stock drums.

 

^^^ yup

FX4s have 10" brakes

 

just get an explorer axle and disc brakes. they you wont have to worry about getting custom length axle shafts if you break one.

 

Cool thanks guys. I just looked into the disc brake conversion, but it was like $800. Seems expensive. All 10'' Brakes are the same right? 28 or 31 spline there all the same?

 

Sounds good but I don't want to have to swap the shock mounts around and I kinda like the torsen in the fx4. Are the explorer discs just plug and play?

 

the disc brake conversion can be for around 200 with parts on an explorer axle

 

No from what I remember all 31 spline use a larger flange on the outer axle tube. You need to buy explorer drums from 91-97? Or 02+ Fx4 level 2 drums. If you are positive it is 31 spline.

 

Sounds good I might have to look into that.

 

Im positive its 31 spline. That makes sense. Do you know where I could get complete drums with all the parts?

 

I bought all my stuff from autozone back in the day, but RockAuto Auto Parts would sell all of that as well.

I would try rockauto.com

I think the pads are interchangeable on a 10" but the backing plates are different as the 4 bolt pattern is different on the axle tube.

 

Ok ill check it out. Thanks

 

i would just get an expo axle, if you look you can get a 31spline with 373's or 410's with an ls.... there spring under tho so you wull have to get spring pads

 

Im not too keen on clutch based limited slip. I am regearing to 4.88 too before its installed. So theres gunna be quite abit of money tied up in it. Id rather not pay someone to reweld the spring pads too, but Im gunna price it all out.

 

if you get an explorer axle you can get an aussie locker for 260. the spring pads and shock tabs are easy to do.

 

Check and make sure it actually IS a 31spline axle first, then go from there. The brake flanges on the housings are different between 31spline 8.8 and 28spline 8.8...they are not interchangeable.


Your options are as follows:

 

Thanks everyone for there imput. I just payed the guy for the fx4 axle. looks like i might be in better shape then I thought. It might only missing the actual drums, So I should be good to go.

 

The drums are the same as 28 spline 10" drums. Just lettin' ya know your good to go if you got 10's on the truck now.

 

Sorry if this has been said before… i was just at a JY and they had a lot of Ex Axles with Disc, asking price ran from $125 to $175 (why the difference I do not know).

I was going to use my 94 Navajo Axle because of the 70K miles but I may look at one of the JY setups.

Are all of the Disc Brake Setups backward compatible ?

Thanks

 

yeah you can make it work....just need to cut and weld perches but aside that its no big deal.